It is perhaps a measure of how far Wayne Rooney has fallen that a striker three years his senior started this encounter for England. Just as it is a measure of how positive a start Gareth Southgate has made that said veteran forward should score after only 20 minutes with what was his third touch of the game.

As difficult as it is to imagine Jermain Defoe still being involved come next year's World Cup, the Sunderland forward represents another positive example of Southgate's so far shrewd judgement.

Jermain Defoe and ‘best mate’ Bradley Lowery lead England out against Lithuania

The Sunderland striker, making his first appearance for the national team in three-and-a-half years, held the hand of the five-year-old Bradley, who suffers from a rare form of cancer known as neuroblastoma. Defoe has struck an accord with the Sunderland-supporting youngster and, along with team-mates John O’Shea, Vito Mannone and Sebastian Larsson, visited him in hospital last month.

England turns to Jermain Defoe amid striker injury woes

19Mar2017

LONDON (AP) — Jermain Defoe was recalled to the England squad at the age of 34 on Thursday, more than three years after last playing for the national team. The Sunderland striker is among 26 players selected for England's upcoming matches after captain Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge and Harry Kane were ruled out because of injury. Defoe has scored 19 goals in 55 England appearances but last played in 2013. Although Sunderland is last in the Premier League, Defoe has 14 goals from 27 appearances.

Jermain Defoe reveals he thought 'Gareth? I don't know a Gareth, who's this?' when Southgate sent him message over England recall

19Mar2017

Jermain Defoe has revealed how he was so surprised by his shock England recall that he initially ignored Gareth Southgate’s attempts to contact him.

Defoe is back in the England squad for the first time since 2013 as Southgate prepares for the friendly in Germany and the World Cup qualifier against Lithuania.

The 34-year-old striker last played for England 1,217 days ago but has been in excellent form for Sunderland this season despite his club being rooted to the bottom of the Premier League.

A severe injury to Harry Kane left the Three Lions in an attacking dilemma ahead of the latest round of World Cup qualifiers.

Kane’s suspected ankle ligament injury in Tottenham’s 6-0 victory over Millwall in the FA Cup at the weekend is expected to keep the Spurs forward out of action for approximately seven weeks and ruled him out of Gareth Southgate’s England squad announcement on Friday. Sunderland’s Jermain Defoe was the one selected to take up the place of the sidelined youngster and exclusive stats from daily fantasy football game www.oulala.com show why this was the best decision.